§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of VAT which the UK would be required to collect if the proposed extension of VAT to road tolls were to be applied retrospectively. [127384]
§ Dawn PrimaroloIf, in its judgment due on 12 September, the European Court of Justice agrees with the earlier opinion of the Advocate-General—that VAT should be charged on road tolls—VAT will not be imposed upon motorists or toll operators retrospectively. It may, however, be necessary for the UK to recalculate contributions made to the European Commission budget from 1984. While it is not possible accurately to calculate the amount involved, it will be very small in relation to our overall contribution.